CHINA CRISIS – DIARY OF A HALLOW HORSE (1989): China Crisis always had a knack of obtuse lyrics. When he hooked up with Steely Dan’s Walter Becker for their third album, Flaunt the Imperfection, he added a needed sophistication element, enhancing their lyrical bite. Becker returned to produce their fifth album, bumping up their game to another new level. He produced most of the songs on the album, and his tracks shine, utilizing the late Kevin Wilkinson on drums and Gary “Gazza” Johnson on bass to full effect. Recorded at Becker’s studio in Hawaii with Roger Nichols engineering, Diary of a Hallow Horse sounds amazing. The song “Stranger By Nature” (with Becker on lead guitar) and the title track (with a Jim Horn tenor solo) amaze. This is a must-have album for Steely Dan fans and any China Crisis fan.